Ridley's mad cow litigation problems grow

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Australia's largest stockfeed manufacturer, Ridley Corp, has
been hit with more class actions relating to a case of mad cow
disease in Canada.

Ridley yesterday discovered that a lawsuit had been brought
against it in Saskatchewan province. Others are likely to follow in
Alberta and Ontario.

The Saskatchewan claim has named Ridley as a defendant, along
with its North American subsidiary, Ridley Inc.

The other claims are expected to do the same.

"None of the claims have yet been served on Ridley Corporation,"
the company said.

"If and when they are served, Ridley will carefully review and
vigorously defend them."

Ridley's legal problems began last week when a class action was
filed against Canada-based Ridley Inc and the Quebec
government.

The complaint alleges that Ridley Inc, which is 69 per cent
owned by its Australian parent, should have stopped using ruminant
meat and bone meal in its stockfeed even before regulations banning
the practice were introduced in 1997.

After the discovery of an infected cow in Alberta in May 2003,
the US government closed its border to Canadian cattle exports.

The plaintiff, a Quebec farmer, is seeking $C100,000 ($104,731)
in damages because he was unable to sell his herd. He wants to
claim compensation on behalf of other Quebec farmers who were
similarly affected.